The emergence of the U.S postsecondary institution as a central economic, social, and cultural institution during 1915-1940 is traced. The complexity of the functions of education in the egalitarian and technocratic society of the United States is also addressed. Attention is directed to: developments during and after World War I, the expansion of…

When the first black colleges were founded more than a century ago they filled an important need for youth who were denied access to all but a few white institutions. Today these same private colleges must compete with more affluent, prestigious white colleges and universities for funding and for black students and teachers. They are losing in…